Trim off both ends of the zucchini, and heat a grill to high. Trim just a little off the two long sides to even their shape; discard the trimmings.

Cut the remaining zucchini into lengthwise strips, each about ¼ inch thick. Brush both sides of the strips with plenty of olive oil and season with a touch of salt. Put the slices on the hot grill at a 45 degree angle to the grates and grill, covered, until well-browned and limp, 3-4 minutes per side.

Check the zucchini as they cook and gently move the slices around with tongs for even browning; be careful not to overcook.

When done, drape them over a cooling rack to keep them from steaming as they cool.

In a bowl, combine the goat cheese with the sun-dried tomatoes, thyme, 1 teaspoon of olive oil, and a 1/8 teaspoon of salt. Spread one heaping teaspoon of the filling over one side of each zucchini strip (use a mini spatula or your fingers to spread). Roll up the zucchini, but not too tightly. Put the rolls on a baking sheet lined with parchment or foil.

Heat the broiler. Sprinkle with a little of the grated Parmigiano and brown under the broiler, for about one minute.

12/18/2013

Do you want to have your cake, drinks, cookies and turkey dinner – and eat them too? Here are a few simple party season survival tips that can help you make it through the holidays with your energy level – and waistline – intact.

1. Drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration, the reason many people feel “hung over” from drinking too much or eating too much heavy food.

2. Take a high-quality B-complex and vitamin C supplement, both of which are depleted by alcohol consumption and stress and needed for energy and immunity.

3. Eat fruit throughout the day—the best food to keep your body cleansed and supported with super-healing phytonutrients–potent plant nutrients.

4. Eat a large green salad for lunch and dinner before heading out to any holiday parties.

5. Eat a small healthy snack every two hours to stabilize blood sugar. Wild blood sugar fluctuations can deplete your energy, cause your body to gain weight, and depress your immune system, making you more vulnerable to those cold and flu bugs found in droves at most parties.

6. Avoid eating sweets, synthetic sweeteners or foods sweetened with them at home. You’ll probably get enough of these treats at the party.

7. Be sure to fit some exercise into your day, even if it means taking the stairs or walking faster than normal at the mall while holiday shopping. A minimum of twenty minutes of vigorous activity will get your circulation going, improve lymph flow, increase energy, and help your body handle the stress of the holiday season.

8. Avoid margarine and foods made with hydrogenated fats. These toxic foods make your body’s detox organs sluggish and require huge amounts of energy for digestion. They also lead to weight gain.

9. Avoid foods that contain synthetic colors, preservatives, and other additives. By avoiding them throughout the day, you are giving your liver a break so it can devote its energy to holiday foods.

10. Don’t overindulge at the party. Treat yourself, but try not to overdo it!

12/11/2013

This means you’ll have lots of time to sit by the fire and read a book, play with your kids and enjoy long, chilly nights cuddled under a blanket with an old movie. (What do you mean, “Yeah right”?)

Your role as Santa’s CEO doesn't need all drudgery. Ho ho hos abound in our lives this time of year. Many people love making candied this and baked that for loved ones, friends, and family. In some parts of the the states home canned products from gardens, fields and orchards will be shipped to siblings in distant ZIP codes. With all the mailing and shipping and baking and shopping, things can get overwhelming.

Make it a point to keep things simple. Focus on those aspects of the season that are most meaningful and keep a distance from those events that you find distracting. Being with friends is really important, so you can plan early who you're’re going to see. Shopping, on the other hand, is worse than childbirth. One can get get panic attacks just thinking about going into Costco or a major department store at this time of year.

Often Christmas, as your family knows it wouldn’t happen if you weren’t around. So this month as you join the countless throngs, hefting your seasonal packfuls of duties and descend that chimney for those we love, recognize the value of your efforts. It’s an amazing gift you give.

To avoid burnout during the holidays, keep these strategies in mind:

Make calm and sanity your first priority. No one wants you frazzled. Avoid tasks that put you over the edge.

Exercise. Don’t get so busy that you forget to go to the gym or take that walk with your friends. Exercise is the perfect stress reducer and it’s vital for your emotional and physical health.

Maintain your perspective. It’s only the holidays, for goodness sakes. There’s no need to overreact.

Enlist help. Don’t be a martyr. Ask others to do their share. If it’s not important enough to them to do, maybe it just doesn’t get done.

Be happy. This season is meant to be joyful. If it’s not, you’re doing something wrong. Let go of activities that are stressful and replace them with serenity and peace.

Another way to avoid holiday burnout is to order a Personal Chef To Go meal plan for yourself or a Gift Card for a friend or loved one. It's easy to do and right now you can order Gift Cards at 25% off.

Order an electronic or mailed gift card and use coupon code Take25 and we'll take 25% off every gift card until December 31, 2013!

Give the gift of delicious chef-prepared meals that will pamper and please anyone on your holiday gift list! We appreciate your business, and look forward to serving you again and again!

12/03/2013

We can all do small acts of kindness for our neighbors, take part in community service, fulfill responsibilities within our local communities or contribute to large-scale humanitarian efforts, in a variety of ways. One of the ways Personal Chef To Go gives back is donating to The Richmond Fisher House.

The Fisher Houses are 5,000 to 16,800 square-foot homes, donated to the military and Department of Veterans Affairs, where families can stay while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Located in close proximity to the medical center or hospital it serves, each Fisher House consists of between 8 and 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, spacious dining room and an inviting living room with a library and toys for children. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is no fee to stay in a Fisher House. Since inception, the program has saved military and veteran families an estimated $200 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Fisher Houses have up to 21 suites, with private bedrooms and baths. Families share a common kitchen, laundry facilities, a warm dining room and an inviting living room. Fisher House Foundation ensures that there is never a lodging fee. Since inception, the program has saved military and veterans’ families an estimated $200 million in out of pocket costs for lodging and transportation.

Fisher House Foundation also operates the Hero Miles program, using donated frequent flyer miles to bring family members to the bedside of injured service members as well as the Hotels for Heroes program using donated hotel points to allow family members to stay at hotels near medical centers without charge. The Foundation also manages a grant program that supports other military charities and scholarship funds for military children, spouses and children of fallen and disabled veterans.